Aims of the Subject

The course "Performance Sportiva di Alto Livello" aims to provide a thorough analysis of the challenges and complexities that characterize the dynamic world of elite sports performance. Utilizing the scientific method as a guide, the course seeks to identify contextual best practices in high-performance sports training.

Course Objectives:

• Comprehend the Foundations of Sports Performance to deepen knowledge of the theories and key concepts underlying high-level sports performance.
• Analyze Advanced Training Strategies used by sports professionals to maximize athletic performance.
• Implement, control, and regulate the training process, considering the principle of self-regulation.

• High-Level Sports Performance

Key Concepts and Definitions

Evolution and Trends in Elite Sports Performance

Role of Experts in Training High-Level Athletes

• The Elite Athlete

Concept of High Performance

Characteristics of the Elite Athlete

• Identification, Selection, and Development of Sporting Talent

Age of Peak Performance

Relative Age

Biological Age

Chronological Age

Generalist and Specialist Approaches to Elite Sports

New Trends in Elite Sports Training

• Training Principles Applied to Elite Performance

Homeostasis

Allostasis

Hormesis

Internal Load

External Load

Worst-Case Scenario

Ecological Performance Assessment

• The Principle of Self-Regulation in Elite Training

Training Protocols and the Concept of Individualization

Case Study

Inter-Individual Variability and Performance

Importance of Temporal Sequence in the Training Process

• Physical Abilities in Elite Sports

Power Training

Endurance Training

Flexibility Training

• Control and Regulation of Training

Estimation of Internal Load

Assessment of External Load

Procedures for Implementing Training Load

Procedures for Internal Load Control

Procedures for Internal Load Regulation

• Limiting Factors in Elite Performance

Muscle Glycogen and Performance

Muscle Stress and Performance

Altered States of Consciousness and Elite Performance

Environmental Stress and Performance

• Recovery and Management of Training Load

Advanced Recovery Techniques

Strategies for Training Load Management

Role of Sleep in Performance

The Concept of Tapering

• Scientific Methods Applied to Sports Performance

Scientific Method Principles in Sports Research

Experimental Approaches and Longitudinal Studies

Practical Applications of Scientific Research in Sports

Best Practices

• Data Analysis in Elite Sports

Measurement in Elite Sports

The Concept of Minimal Effective Change

Machine Learning

• Analysis of the Preparation of Elite Athletes (Case Studies)

Individual Sports

Team Sports

Action Sports

Military Performance

Knowledge and Understanding: At the end of the course, the student will have acquired theoretical and methodological knowledge currently used to promote the preparation of high-level athletes.

Applying Knowledge and Understanding: The student will be required to demonstrate the ability to interpret and apply their knowledge and understanding of the specific sports reality they intend to train.

Making Judgements: The student will need to demonstrate having developed sufficient critical ability to assess the adequacy and effectiveness of evaluation and training methods in relation to predefined objectives.

Communication Skills: The student will need to demonstrate the ability to create a positive and empathetic relationship with athletes and staff belonging to the High-Performance Organization (HPO) in order to improve performance in both competition and training within their operational context.

Learning Skills: Upon completion of the course, students will have gained autonomy in researching study materials related to the course topics. Additionally, the student will be able to critically evaluate training methods and protocols present in sports realities.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Teaching

Frontal lectures, national and international webinars.

Innovative teaching methods

Frontal lectures, national and international webinars, and practical exercises.

Promotion of an Open and Participatory Debate: Encouraging the free expression of students through a non-directive approach. Application of the problem-based learning method, encouraging students to start from general concepts to contextualize methods and interventions directly relevant to high-level performance. Implementation of learning by doing to enhance students' problem-solving skills through the presentation of case studies, proposed by both the teacher and the students themselves. Management, monitoring, and adaptation of existing or ideal intervention protocols to define best practices applicable to the specific context. Integration of self-learning to promote individuality within a high-performance organization. Adoption of peer education to foster collaboration among converging individuals within a high-performance organization

Course books

Recommended books to become familiar with topics related to High-Level Sports Performance will be communicated at the beginning of the lessons. The educational material (books, articles of interest, websites, slides used in class) related to the topics examined during the lessons will be communicated to students during the course and made available on the blended platform

Reference books

• Title: The Talent Lab: The secret to finding, creating and sustaining success

Authors; Owen Slot, Simon Timson, Chelsea Warr

‎Publisher: Ebury Press (2017)

• Title: How to Support a Champion: The art of applying science to the elite athlete

 Authors: Steve Ingham

Publisher: Simply Said (2016)

• Title: Generalisti: Perché una conoscenza allargata, flessibile e trasversale è la chiave per il futuro

Authors: ‎ David Epstein

Publisher: LUISS University Press (26 agosto 2020)

• Title: The Sports Gene: Inside the Science of Extraordinary Athletic Performance

Authors: David Epstein

Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group (29 aprile 2014)

• Title: L'arte dell'impossibile. Che cosa innesca le prestazioni straordinarie

Authors: Steven Kotler

Publisher: ROI edizioni (2021)

• Title: Periodizzazione. Teoria metodologia allenamento

Authors Tudor Bompa, Carlo Buzzichelli

Publisher: Calzetti Mariucci; 1° edizione (13 luglio 2022)

Assessment

The assessment of preparation will be carried out through an oral examination, during which the student must discuss a case study (athlete or elite team) of their choice, in addition to demonstrating an understanding of the principles of High-Level Sports Performance

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Assessment

The assessment of preparation will be carried out through an oral examination, during which the student must discuss a case study (athlete or elite team) of their choice, in addition to demonstrating an understanding of the principles of High-Level Sports Performance

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.